Family Passion Projects

An opportunity to learn, grow, and serve as a family.

Discover the power of connection through Family Passion Projects! This comprehensive guide has been crafted to help families reconnect and spend meaningful time together working on a project that will make a positive impact. Not only does this guide provide detailed information on the process of Family Passion Projects, but I also offer training sessions to help families understand the "what," "how," and "why" behind this transformative idea.

If you are a teacher, youth group leader, or member of an organization interested in sharing this concept with the parents in your community, please reach out to me for more information on how we can work together to make Family Passion Projects a reality for more families. Let's connect and make a difference together!

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A family passion project is an opportunity to pursue a passion and purpose together, as a family, while making an impact on the world around you.

Passion and Purpose

BIG IDEA:

What do we want to learn more about as a family and how can we utilize this project to make an impact?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

First, gather your family members together and give everyone a piece of paper or an index card and a pen.
Ask each family member to write down three of their interests. These could be anything from sports, music, art, cooking, or anything else that they enjoy. (If you have littles, you may ask them to draw pictures.)
Once everyone has written down their interests, ask them to think about three things that they'd like to impact or change in their community or the world. This could include issues like poverty, health and wellness, pollution, or animal welfare.
After everyone has had a chance to think about their interests and impact goals, have each family member share their list with the group.
Encourage everyone to look for connections between their interests and impact goals. For example, if someone is interested in gardening and wants to impact food security, they could suggest starting a community garden project.
Have a discussion as a family to decide on a project that makes sense for everyone. How can you create a project that connects the ideas of the family? Make sure that everyone's interests and impact goals are taken into account and that everyone is enthusiastic about the project.

Below are some additional project ideas for inspiration:

Volunteer at a local animal shelter or wildlife sanctuary
Start a community garden or organize a neighborhood clean-up day
Create care packages for homeless individuals or those in need
Organize a fundraiser or donation drive for a charity or cause that your family cares about
Make homemade meals or baked goods to donate to a local food bank or soup kitchen
Host a community art show or music event to raise awareness for a social or environmental issue
Create a recycling program in your community or start a composting project in your backyard
Plan and execute a family hike or camping trip to appreciate nature and learn about local flora and fauna.
Record a video message of appreciation to essential workers in your community and spread it through social media.
Start a family book club and choose a book to read and discuss together, and then donate the book(s) to a local school or library.

ACTIONS STEPS:

Collaborate as a family to develop and refine your project idea over the course of the week. Keep an eye out for helpful resources both online and in your local community.
Anticipate potential challenges that may arise during the project and brainstorm solutions in advance. Create a list of potential pitfalls and strategies to overcome them.
Establish a designated space where family members can brainstorm and share ideas about the project as they arise. Encourage open communication and build on each other's ideas to foster creativity and collaboration.

Plan the Project

BIG IDEA:

What do we need to do to prepare to work on our family passion project?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Start by having a family meeting to discuss the project idea and the skills and resources needed to make it happen. Encourage each family member to share their thoughts and ideas about what materials they might need, what the timeline might look like, and who they might need to reach out to for help.
Ask each family member to take on a specific role in the project planning process. Assign one person to be the project manager, who will oversee the planning and coordination of the project. Assign another person to be the materials coordinator, who will research and purchase any materials needed for the project. Assign a third person to be the timeline coordinator, who will create a timeline for the project and keep everyone on track. Lastly, assign someone to be the expert liaison, who will research and reach out to any outside experts who could provide guidance or advice for the project. (If you have littles, they might serve as an "assistant" to another family member.)
Give each coordinator a specific set of tasks to complete before the next family meeting. The materials coordinator might research prices and availability of materials, while the timeline coordinator might create a rough timeline for the project. The expert liaison might research and reach out to potential experts for advice.
During the next family meeting, have each coordinator share their progress and discuss any challenges or roadblocks they've encountered. As a family, brainstorm solutions to any issues that arise.
As the planning process continues, the project manager should regularly check in with each coordinator to ensure they are on track and offer support and guidance as needed.
Once the planning process is complete, have each coordinator present their final plan to the family. This should include a comprehensive timeline, a list of materials needed, and any expert advice or guidance that has been obtained.

By assigning specific roles and tasks to each family member, this activity promotes executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, and time management. Additionally, by working collaboratively to create a comprehensive plan for their passion project, the family can develop communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

ACTION STEPS:

Materials Coordinator:

Research and create a list of all necessary materials needed for the project
Research prices and availability of each item
Purchase necessary materials or delegate purchasing tasks to family members
Keep track of materials inventory and reorder items as needed
Keep receipts and track expenses

Timeline Coordinator:

Work with the project manager to set a realistic timeline for the project
Create a detailed timeline that includes specific deadlines and milestones
Identify potential delays and develop strategies to mitigate them
Communicate the timeline to all family members and ensure everyone is on the same page
Regularly check in with the project manager to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments to the timeline

Expert Liaison:

Research and identify potential outside experts who could provide guidance or advice for the project
Reach out to potential experts via email or phone to introduce the project and request assistance
Communicate any responses or feedback from experts to the project manager and the rest of the family
Schedule any necessary consultations or meetings with experts
Ensure that any advice or guidance provided by experts is incorporated into the project plan

Project Manager:

Coordinate the efforts of all coordinators and ensure that everyone is working together effectively
Regularly check in with each coordinator to assess progress and identify any challenges or roadblocks
Provide guidance and support as needed to each coordinator
Ensure that the project plan is comprehensive and includes all necessary information, including a detailed timeline, list of materials needed, and any expert advice or guidance obtained
Communicate the project plan to all family members and ensure that everyone is on board with the plan

Pitch Your Idea

BIG IDEA:

Who needs to hear your idea and can provide feedback?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Start by having a family meeting to discuss the project idea and its potential impact. Encourage each family member to share their thoughts and ideas about the project, as well as any potential challenges or roadblocks.
Introduce the idea of preparing a pitch for the project to receive feedback from others. Discuss the importance of having a clear and concise pitch that effectively communicates the project's goals and impact.
Ask the family to research and find a pitch on YouTube that they believe is particularly effective. This pitch could be for a similar type of project, or it could be for something completely unrelated.
Have the family watch the selected pitch together and then discuss what made it effective. Ask questions such as: What elements of the pitch caught your attention? How did the presenter communicate their ideas clearly? Did the presenter seem passionate about their idea? Why do you think this pitch was successful?
Next, ask each family member to prepare their own pitch for the family's passion project. Encourage them to focus on communicating the project's goals and impact, as well as any materials or outside experts needed and a timeline for completion. (If you have littles, they could partner with another family member to help and deliver the pitch together.)
After everyone has had a chance to prepare their pitches, have each person present their pitch to the rest of the family. Encourage family members to provide feedback on the pitch, including what worked well and what could be improved.
Once everyone has presented their pitch and received feedback, have the family work together to create a final pitch that incorporates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Practice presenting this pitch together until everyone feels confident and prepared.
Finally, consider hosting a pitch event with friends, neighbors, or other family members. Encourage the family to present their pitch and ask for feedback from the audience.

By watching and discussing a successful pitch, the family can learn from others' experiences and develop a better understanding of what makes a pitch effective. Additionally, by working together to prepare and refine their own pitches, the family can develop skills in communication, collaboration, and presentation. Finally, by presenting their project idea to others, the family can build excitement and generate support for their passion project.

ACTION STEPS:

Practice, practice, practice: Encourage family members to practice their pitch as much as possible. They can practice in front of a mirror, with each other, or even record themselves to see how they come across.
Refine the pitch: Based on the feedback received during the practice sessions, the family should refine their pitch to make it more effective. They can focus on making the message clearer, more engaging, and impactful.
Identify potential audience members: Determine who the family will be presenting their pitch to. Are they presenting to friends, family, or a community group? Knowing the audience can help the family tailor their pitch to be more effective.
Gather materials: Depending on the project, the family may need to prepare materials to support their pitch. These could include visual aids, such as posters or videos, or even prototypes or samples of the project.
Prepare for questions: It's important to anticipate questions that the audience might have and prepare answers in advance. This will help the family to be more confident and knowledgeable during the presentation.

Work on the Project

BIG IDEA:

How will we make progress on our project and what will we learn along the way?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Choose a date: Set a date for a family reflection session on the project. This could be a designated time during the week, or a special occasion like a family dinner or game night.
Gather materials: Collect any materials or tools that the family will need to review their progress. This could include notes, sketches, photos, or physical prototypes.
Reflect on progress: As a family, reflect on the progress made so far in the project. Ask questions like: What have we accomplished? What challenges have we faced? What have we learned about ourselves and each other? What has been most rewarding?
Connect to other areas of life: Encourage family members to connect what they are learning in the project to other areas of their lives. For example, if the project involves building a birdhouse, they could discuss how the project connects to science, nature, or woodworking skills.
Set new goals: Based on their reflections, set new goals for the project. These could include specific tasks to complete or areas to explore further. Make sure to set goals that are achievable and realistic, and that everyone in the family agrees to.
Celebrate progress: Finally, celebrate the progress made so far. This could include a special family activity or treat, or simply acknowledging the hard work and dedication that everyone has put in.

By reflecting on their progress and connecting the project to other areas of life, families can deepen their understanding of the project and its impact. Setting new goals and celebrating progress can help maintain momentum and keep everyone motivated to continue working together.

ACTION STEPS:

Reflect on progress: Regularly take time to reflect as a family on the progress made so far in the project. Discuss what has been accomplished, what challenges have been faced, and what has been learned along the way.
Make connections: Help family members connect what they are learning in the project to other areas of their lives. This could involve discussing how the project relates to academic subjects, personal interests, or life skills.
Share progress with others: Share progress updates with friends, family, or other trusted individuals. This can help family members receive feedback and encouragement, as well as keep them accountable to their goals.
Celebrate milestones: Celebrate milestones and accomplishments along the way. This can help keep everyone motivated and reinforce the value of hard work and dedication.
Adjust plans as needed: Be open to adjusting the project plan as needed based on feedback, new ideas, or unforeseen circumstances. Encourage family members to be flexible and adaptable throughout the process.
Document progress: Document the progress made in the project through photos, videos, or other means. This can help family members look back on their work with pride and appreciation.

Create the Product

BIG IDEA:

What can we create or design that will best represent the work that we have done, as a family, on our project?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Start with a discussion: Have a family discussion about what they want to achieve with the product for the family project. Ask questions like: What inspired this project? What are our goals for this project? How do we want to share our project with others? What type of product will best represent our project?
Brainstorm ideas: Once everyone has shared their thoughts, brainstorm ideas for products that could represent the project. Encourage creativity and don't worry about feasibility at this stage.
Categorize ideas: After brainstorming, categorize the ideas into physical, digital, and experiential products. Discuss the pros and cons of each type of product and how they could best represent the family passion project. To help the family better understand what each type entails, you can also discuss examples of physical, digital, and experiential products.
Examples include:
Physical products: Artwork, a model, a prototype, a sculpture, a tool, a piece of furniture, a game, a book, a photo album.

Digital products: A website, a blog, a video, a podcast, an app, a game, an ebook, a social media account, a digital portfolio.

Experiential products: A performance, a workshop, a class, a tour, an event, a game, a simulation, a role-playing activity, a scavenger hunt.
Narrow down options: Based on the discussion, narrow down the options to a few potential products that everyone is excited about. Discuss the skills and resources required for each product and consider how each one could fit into the family's timeline and budget.
Vote and decide: Finally, have the family vote on the preferred product option. Make sure everyone's voice is heard and the decision is made collectively as a family.

By involving everyone in the decision-making process and discussing examples of different product types, the family can ensure that they choose a product that aligns with their goals and represents their project in the best way possible.

ACTION STEPS:

Make a plan: Decide on the type of product they want to create and create a plan for how to make it.
Assign roles: Give each family member a specific task to complete based on their interests and strengths.
Reflect and adjust: Check-in regularly on progress, identify any challenges or roadblocks, and brainstorm solutions together as a family to make sure the project stays on track.

Present the Work

BIG IDEA:

Who needs to hear about our family passion project and can help us make our idea a reality?

FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

Set up a mock presentation: The family can choose a room or space in their house to act as their presentation venue. They can set up chairs and pretend that they are presenting to an audience.
Use a timer: To make the presentation as realistic as possible, the family can use a timer to track their presentation time. This will help them practice staying within their allotted time and will prepare them for any time constraints they may face when presenting to others.
Assign roles: Each family member can take on a different role in the presentation, such as lead presenter, slide changer, or question responder. This will give each family member a chance to practice their specific role and will help them work together as a team.
Record the presentation: The family can use a phone or camera to record their practice presentation. They can then watch the recording together and discuss areas for improvement.
Provide constructive feedback: After watching the recording, each family member can provide constructive feedback to each other on how they can improve their presentation skills. This will help the family work together to refine their presentation and improve their overall performance.

As for who might be willing to hear their family passion project presentation, the family could consider presenting to local community organizations, school boards, or relevant professionals in their field of interest. They could also share their project on social media or other online platforms to gain wider exposure and potentially attract interest from supporters.

ACTION STEPS:

Once the family is confident with their presentation, research and identify potential audiences who might be interested in hearing about their family passion project. This could include:

Local community organizations or non-profits that align with the project's goals and mission
Local government officials or representatives who might be able to offer support or funding
Local businesses or companies that align with the project's goals and could offer resources or support
Schools or universities that might be interested in partnering on the project

Reach out to the potential audiences to schedule a presentation. Be sure to include information about the project and product, as well as the goals and mission of the project.
Deliver the presentation as a team, with each family member contributing to the presentation and speaking about their role in the project.
After the presentation, have a debrief session where the family reflects on their performance and discusses any feedback or suggestions from the audience.

HEY, I'M ANDI!

I'm a wife, mom, international speaker, author, and passionate educator. I love to share passion projects with anyone that will listen! I think passion projects for families make so much sense and are a great way for families to connect, learn and grow and together.

If you have any questions or need any type of support as you work through your Family Passion Project, please feel to email me at [email protected].